Hi All
I have always hankered after a w202 C43, but it has never really suited my needs until maybe now....!? As much as I have always liked them it has not really been big enough or practical enough for me as a daily driver. Thing is I now wouldn't need it as a daily. My much loved E55K estate has been perfect for my needs, but in the past 4 years or so it has covered less than 1500 miles each year as I have a new w447 Vito 119 crew van that I use as my daily vehicle, so space is no longer a priority.
So I have been quietly thinking about a C43 again or of course the obvious alternative the C36. Up to now I have never really given much thought to the C36 as I'm not sure it had much if anything to offer over the 43. I have always preferred the more muscular and purposeful look of the 43 over the 36, but there is something also very appealing about the simple lines of the 36. Then of course there's the engines!! I have always liked a straight 6 and the lovely howl they make, albeit I have not owned a car with a straight 6 for about 25 years. But.... Clearly I love a V8, especially an M113!!!
It would be good to hear from anyone that has owned either and preferably have or had both. Am I missing something with the C36? Funny at the moment there seems to be a few nice looking low mileage examples of C36's available (shame they're silver as I would fancy a colour change albeit not the main consideration), but not same choice in 43's which is a little surprising. That said I guess that changes all the time.
Then there's also the saloon or estate debate. I think I have always preferred the look of the saloons over estates with the w202's. The complete opposite for me with the 211's where to me there is just something special about the wagon.
This would be a long term car for me so although I am not looking as an investment it would be good to get views on which version is likely to hold value better. I tend to keep cars for a while, as long as I'm happy with it of course. I have had my E55 for over 9 years and it has easily been the best car I have owned. I just love it and even now I catch myself looking at reflections in shopfronts as I drive by
My beloved E55K would need go if I decide to go for a 202, so it would need to be something special and a keeper. I have never even driven or viewed one so maybe I would be totally underwhelmed by a 202? I don't mean in outright pace, as clearly I wouldn't expect either to compete on that front with my wagon. Sometimes you just build things up too much in your mind and the reality is a disappointment. A bit like when I went out thinking I wanted to buy an Audi C5 RS6 avant as a replacement for my Jag S Type R as I needed an estate. I always liked them, but after viewing a nice example and driving it, I was left a bit flat. That wasn't helped by me viewing and driving a poor example of an E55K estate a few hours later. After driving the E55K, the Audi was no longer a consideration, even though the merc was A bit of a dog.
There is nothing newer than my E55K that floats my boat. Ideally I'd go older still and bigger but a 560sec or a 500e are both out of reach now
I have always hankered after a w202 C43, but it has never really suited my needs until maybe now....!? As much as I have always liked them it has not really been big enough or practical enough for me as a daily driver. Thing is I now wouldn't need it as a daily. My much loved E55K estate has been perfect for my needs, but in the past 4 years or so it has covered less than 1500 miles each year as I have a new w447 Vito 119 crew van that I use as my daily vehicle, so space is no longer a priority.
So I have been quietly thinking about a C43 again or of course the obvious alternative the C36. Up to now I have never really given much thought to the C36 as I'm not sure it had much if anything to offer over the 43. I have always preferred the more muscular and purposeful look of the 43 over the 36, but there is something also very appealing about the simple lines of the 36. Then of course there's the engines!! I have always liked a straight 6 and the lovely howl they make, albeit I have not owned a car with a straight 6 for about 25 years. But.... Clearly I love a V8, especially an M113!!!
It would be good to hear from anyone that has owned either and preferably have or had both. Am I missing something with the C36? Funny at the moment there seems to be a few nice looking low mileage examples of C36's available (shame they're silver as I would fancy a colour change albeit not the main consideration), but not same choice in 43's which is a little surprising. That said I guess that changes all the time.
Then there's also the saloon or estate debate. I think I have always preferred the look of the saloons over estates with the w202's. The complete opposite for me with the 211's where to me there is just something special about the wagon.
This would be a long term car for me so although I am not looking as an investment it would be good to get views on which version is likely to hold value better. I tend to keep cars for a while, as long as I'm happy with it of course. I have had my E55 for over 9 years and it has easily been the best car I have owned. I just love it and even now I catch myself looking at reflections in shopfronts as I drive by

My beloved E55K would need go if I decide to go for a 202, so it would need to be something special and a keeper. I have never even driven or viewed one so maybe I would be totally underwhelmed by a 202? I don't mean in outright pace, as clearly I wouldn't expect either to compete on that front with my wagon. Sometimes you just build things up too much in your mind and the reality is a disappointment. A bit like when I went out thinking I wanted to buy an Audi C5 RS6 avant as a replacement for my Jag S Type R as I needed an estate. I always liked them, but after viewing a nice example and driving it, I was left a bit flat. That wasn't helped by me viewing and driving a poor example of an E55K estate a few hours later. After driving the E55K, the Audi was no longer a consideration, even though the merc was A bit of a dog.
There is nothing newer than my E55K that floats my boat. Ideally I'd go older still and bigger but a 560sec or a 500e are both out of reach now
